Prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls in a North Karnataka school: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) has defined ‘Adolescence’ as a period between 10 and 19 years. Anemia is a condition characterized by reduction in the number of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin concentration. Adolescent girls are at increased risk of anemia due to rapid growth and developmental process. The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls in one of the schools in North Karnataka.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among adolescent girls in one of the CBSE Schools of north Karnataka. In 347 adolescent girls, data collection was carried out in the month of August 2017 through hematological assessment. All the adolescent girls between grade 7 and 12 were included in the study. Statistical analysis was conducted using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0.

Results: Out of 347 adolescent girls enrolled more than half 196 (56.5%) were mid adolescent with a mean age of 14.34±1.8. 54 (15.6%) were showing mild thinness and 14 (4.0%) were overweight. Overall prevalence of anemia was 44.4% (n=154). Where in 35.2% (n=122) were mild anemic followed by 8.9% (n=31) moderate anemia. Among the anemic girls, 79.8% (n=123) had attained their menarche and 6.5% (n=10) were reported passing worms in stools.

Conclusions: Prevalence of anemia among school adolescent girls was found to be less. Among anemic girls, majority were showing mild anemia.